Is it too much to ask journalists to spend five minutes trying to understand what they are writing about, or is it just hopeless. In particular I am tired of journalists fucking up when it comes to writing about defense or intelligence matters as these areas are so expensive and important that we should stop being ignorant about them.
Misinformation is a problem.
Misinformation is a problem.
For example, lets
review the case of the runaway blimp in Pennsylvania. Its a medium
sized blimp, that is or was normally tethered to the ground. It apparently broke away from its mooring because of the weather although that is not entirely clear. Like all modern lighter-than-air craft, it is filled with helium.
See, for example, the Guardian's discussion of the rogue blimp.
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/28/us-army-blimp-breaks-free
Its a big helium balloon. It is not clear whether it caused the power failures in PA. Maybe it did, and maybe it didnt. But the balloon did not cost 2.8 billion. The moron journalist could read about the JLENS project here had he wanted to.
Its not a space shuttle. It is part of a program
that over the last 10 years or so probably did cost that much money
because it is part of an effort to create an over-the-horizon radar
for air defense, and radar, which is usually very exotic, weird electronics, can be very expensive.
But the blimp, oh I
dont know, maybe a million or two.
Get a grip guys.
Make a phone call. Use the internet and read up on the program.
Yes, even you, the jounalist, should be able to figure it out with a
minute or two of thought.
I know you can do
it.
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